Apparatus for the impregnation of hollow articles



May 24, 1932. L H.-J. PRINS 1,859,841

7 APPARATUS FOR THE IMPREGNATION OF HOLLOW ARTICLES Filed Dec. 50, 1929ZSheets-Sheet 1 May 24, 1932. H. J PRINS 7 1,359,841

APPARATUS FOR THE IMPREGNATION'OF HOLLOW ARTICLES Filed Dec. 50,1929 2Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG-Z- v FIG-3J- Patented May" 24, 1932 "UNITED STATESPATENT, OFFICE,

EENDRIK J coRUs rRIns or HILVERSUM, NETHERLANDS APPARATUS FOR THEI'MPREG'NATION or HOLLOW ARTIcLEs Application filed December 30,1929,Serial No. 417,567, and in Germany January 11, 1929.

The invention relates to improvements in or relating tothe impregnationof the inner walls of hollow articles such as cups, tins or the like.The impregnation is effected by directing the impregnating liquidthrough the space between a hollow body, which is arranged inside theimpregnation vessel, and

the inner wall of the cup and by carrying oil over the bottom of the cupas the outlet apprture is only situated in proximity to the latter. Byadopting a suitable shape, for example, a conical form, forflthe uppersurface of the hollow body, which is placed inside the vessel, theimpregnating liquid is furthermore compelled to flow along the entireinternal surface of the bottom of the cup, whereby the Z5 latteris alsoimpregnated thoroughly.

The impregnating operation is accomplished completely automatically,becauseby pressing upon the cup itselfthe flow of impregnating liquid isestablished and is 0 stopped as soon as the pressure on the cup which isto beimpregnated is removed. Consequently the impregnation'acts onlyduring an exactly predetermined period, but also thoroughly duringthispressing period. As

the liquid flows back immediately and theentire revolution space beingclosed, a loss of 'impregnating liquid cannot occur, a fact whichisespecially of value in the case when volatile solvents are employedfor the imprega nating liquid.

Further advantagesreside in the automatic method of operation, thesimplicity with which the method is carried out and of the operatingmeans required. j

The drawings show by way of example embodiments of an apparatus forcarrying out the impregnation method according to the invention and byreferring to the'drawings the operations and the particular advantagespresented by the method will be understood.

In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional view of one form of the apparatus according tothe invention and Figures 2 and 3 are simplified embodiments of theapparatus, operating in a. similar manner to the arrangement in Figure land showing the manner in which some parts can be exchanged easily.

In these figures the same reference numerals represent correspondingparts.

A hollow body 1 is provided at the upper surface with an opening 2 andis secured to a tube 3. By means of a ring 4; this. tube 3 is connected-to a dish 5 to which a projecting flange ring 7 is secured if desiredwith the interposition of a packing ring 6. The cup 8 is placed in theflange 7 with the open side upon the ring 6, thus enclosing the hollowbody 1. 7

To the ring-piece 4 a tube 9 is secured, serving to guide the tube 3inside a box 12, which is provided with a flange and is passed throughthe coven of a vessel 11, to which it is secured. To the box 12- avessel 13 is secured .which is open at the uppersid'e, enclosing thehollow body over any height and provided at the bottom with a waste-pipe14.

To the tube 3, which passes through a stufiing box 15 in the base of thevessel 11 is secured a conical valve 16 inside the vessel 11, whichvalve in the position represented is pressed by a spring 17 against anannular seating 18 which is arrangedinside the box 12 and is providedwith a spring 19, which in the position represented is slack. The spring19 5' bears against a ring 20 which is secured in the box 12 and withthe other side limits the mo tion of the tube 9 and consequently thedescent of the tube 3.

The bottom of the vessel 11 is provided with a feeder 21, which. bymeans of a pump is in communication with a storage vessel, into whichthe liquid discharged by the conducts 3 and 14 also returns. y

In the position shown the feed-pump, for example a centrifugal pump,which can only overcome a predetermined lift as counterpressure, hasfilled the vessel 11 so far that the air remaining under the cover 10forms an air cushion the pressure of which equals the pressure of thepump, in consequence of which a further supply cannot take place.

If now the cup 8 is pressed down, the parts 5, (6) and 7 and also thetube 3 together with the hollow body .1 and the conical valve 16descend. The conical valve 16 withdraws therefore from the seating 18,in consequence of which the liquid around the tube 3 arrives into thebox 12 and then into the tube 9. The impregnating liquid then passesthrough the annular space between the hollow body 1 and the dish 5 andreaches all parts of the inner surface of the cup 8, which by thepressure upon the dish 5 or the stufling-ring 6 effects the requiredclosure. The impregnating liquid ascends gradually in the space betweenthe cup 8 and the hollow body 1, then enters through the opening 2inside the hollow body 1 and returns from there through the tube 3 intothe store-vessel, from which it is again directed by the pump into thevessel 11. In this manner a cycle, which is shut off from the open air,is secured for the impregnating liquid and by the gradual, regular andwhirlfree ascent thereof such an eflicient contact with the inner wallsof the cup is obtained that in a short time the clesired impregnation iseffected, no other operation being required than the depression of thecup. Moreover the shut off position of the cup 8 upon the dish 5 permitsan impregnation to be operated under the sudden pressure of theascending liquid, this being of great importance for the alfixture ofthe impregnating substance to the base.

By removing the cup 8 the supply of liquid to the space around thehollow body 1 is at once stopped, because the spring 17 moves the tube 3back and presses the conical valve 16 again upon the seating 18. Theliquid remaining around the hollow body 1 enters the vessel 13 andreturns by means of the duct 14 also into the store-vessel. On accountof the projecting border 7 a certain quantity of liquid is left behindin the border, which can serve for the impregnation of a part of theouter wall of the cup as is sometimes required for an air-tight closingof a cover which is arranged upon the cup. The height of the projectingborder 7 is determined by the desired height of the impregnation of theouter wall and if desired liquid may also be admitted on this side bymaking the space between the cup 8 and the border 7 communicate by meansof openings or duets with the space around the tube 3 below the hollowbody 1 (not shown in the drawlngs).

To obtain the certainty that no air will be left behind in the cupduring the operation,

' which may produce non-impregnated patches or an insuflicient aflixtureto the bottom of the cup, the upper surface of the hollow body is shapedconically in order that during the flow through the opening 2 anejector-effect will take place, removing the air which may remain underthe bottom of the cup through the opening 2.

Moreover the production of whirls in the liquid which ascends along thehollow body can be prevented by ribs 1 arranged perpendicularly upon theside walls and the upper surface of the hollow body and which increasethe ejector-efi'ect upon the air by arresting the whirls.

If the hollow body 1 and the ring 6, if any, are made interchangeablethe apparatus can then be arranged to suit the shape and the size of thearticles which are to be impregnated.

According to the invention the liquid is suddenly admitted and theadmission is suddenly stopped. The air-cushion which is formed in thevessel 11 serves to damp the shocks arising in the ducts.

After removing the cup from the apparatus any excess of the impregnatingliquid can be shaken off by a motion of the hand backwards. The sameresult can be obtained by suddenly blowing into the cup a current of airat the correct temperature, which if then slowed down can serve to drythe treated articles. These latter measures do not form directly a partof the invention and neither does the supply of the cup or otherarticles by which all the operations can be effected automatically. Thecups can be held fast in the required position in anydevice known forthe purpose and the admission of the liquid then can be opened orinversely be shut off again by the descending motion of the cup or theascending motion of the device. The operations can be inverted accordingto the invention by the ascent of the liquid in an apparatus of the samestructure through the tube 3 into the hollow body, the flowing throughthe opening 2 and the descent around the hollow body. The requiredrevolution can also be obtained by a sucking action at the waste-pipe 3instead of a pressure upon the liquid. In general the application of themethod of working is not confined to the described apparatus, nor is theapparatus confined to the application of the embodiment shown.

In the embodiment according to Figure 2 the impregnating liquid flowsthrough the duct 21 into a space which surrounds the openings 22. Thehollow body 1 is connected with the dish 5 by means of rivets 23, thedish being provided with a bent down border for pushing on tightly thecup 8 which is to be impregnated and can moreover be centered by elasticstrips 24. arranged all around the dish 5. The hollow body 1 forms withthe dish 5 a top part which can be screwed as a whole upon the duct 9 inwhich the duct 3 is secured. The duct 9 is provided with transmittingopenings 25, which by the descending motion of the toppart and of theducts 9 and 3 which are secured thereto, arrive oppos'ite the openings22, in consequence of which the liquid around the duct 3 and the hollowbody can ascend and through the hol- 5 low body 1 and the duct 3 canreturn into the storage-vessel out of which it can again be carried upinto the duct 21. The descending movement of the top part occurs whenthe spring 17 is pressed in, which causes the reverse motion to takeplace when the cup 8 is removed, the shock being neutralized by thespring 19.

Figure 3, in which only the top part is represented, shows the manner inwhich this top part can be embodied incase the hollow cup 8 possesses asmall width, whilst the top part is nevertheless tobe screwed upon thesame ducts.

' What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1.Apparatus for impregnating the inner walls of hollow articles such ascups, comprising a supporting 'base in the form of a dish on which thesaid article is placed, mouth towards the dish to form a completelyclosed container, means whereby the impregnating liquid is introducedinto said dish and closed container and directed only along the innerwall of said article, means whereby said liquid is returned from saiddish after use, the discharge outlet of said. means being situated inproximity to the base of said hollow article.

2. Apparatus for impregnating the inner walls of hollow articles such ascups, comprising a dish on which the said article is placed, mouthtowards the dish in a manner to form a complete closed container, meanswhereby the impregnating liquid is introduced into said dish and therebyonto the inner wall.of said article, a hollow body mounted on said dishand fitting with small clearance throughout the entire inner surface ofthe hollow article to be impregnated so as to guide theimpregnatingliquid along the inner wall of the article, and said bodyhaving at its upper surface a discharge orifice, an outlet ductconnected to the base of said hollow body. 3. Apparatus for impregnatingthe inner walls of hollow articles such as cups, comprising a dish, onwhich the said article is placed, mouth towards the dish,'means wherebythe impregnating liquid is introduced into said dish and thereby ontothe inner wall of said article, a-hollow body mounted on said dish andfitting with small clearance in the hollow article to be impregnated,and having at its upper surface a discharge orifice, an outlet ductconnected to the base of said hollow body, a valve movably connected tosaid outlet duct and thereby to said hollow body and said dish, saidvalve'cont-rolling the admission of liquid, to said dish.

4: Apparatus for impregnating the inner walls of hollow articles such ascups, comprising a dish on which the said article isplaced, mouthtowards the dish, a closed chamber containing the impregnating liquid,and ducts connecting said chamber with the delivery of liquid and withsaid dish, a valve in said chamber, said valve being movably-connectedto said'outlet duct and controlling the flow of liquid from said chamberto said dish, a hollow body mounted on said dish and fitting 4'5 withsmall clearance in the hollow article to be impregnated, and having atits upper surface a discharge orifice, an outlet duct connected to thebase of said hollow body.

5. Apparatus for impregnating the inner walls of hollow articles such ascups, comprising a dish on which the said article is placed, mouthtowards the dish, a hollow body -mo1inted on the dish and fitting withsmall clearance in the hollow article to be 'impregnated, and having atits upper surface a discharge orifice, an outlet duct connected to thebase of the hollow body, said hollow body having a conical upper surfacewith said outlet orifice at the apex of the cone, a closed 99 chambercontaining the impregnating liquid and ducts connecting the chamber withthe delivery of liquid and with the dish, a Valve in the chamber, saidvalve being movably I connected to said outlet duct and controlling ElleI flow of liquid from the chamber to the 6. Apparatus for impregnatingthe inner walls of hollow articles such as cups, compris ing a dish onwhich the said article is placed, 100 mouth towards the dish, a hollowbody mounted on the dish and fitting with smallclearance in the'hollowarticle to be impregnated, and having at its upper surface a dischargeorifice, an outlet duct connected to the base of the hollow body, saidhollow .body having a conical upper surface with said outlet orifice atthe apex of the cone, a closed chamber containing the impregnatingliquid and ducts connecting the chamber with the delivery of liquid andwith the dish, a valve in the chamber, thevalve being movable connectedto the outlet duct and controlling the flow of liquid fromth chamber tothe dish, the outer walls and upper surface of said hollow bodycomprising ribs extending in the direction of flow of the liquid.

7. Apparatus for impregnating the inner walls of hollow articles such ascups, comprising a dish on which thesaid article is placed, mouthtowards the dish, a closed chamber containing the impregnating liquidand ducts connecting said chamber with the delivery of liquid and withsaid dish between said hollow body and the inner wall of said hollowarticle, a valve in-said chamber, said valve being movably-connected tosaid outlet duct and controlling the flow of liquid from said chamber tosaid dish, a hollow body mounted on said dish and fitting with smallclearance in the hollow article to be impregnated, and having at itsupper surface a discharge orifice, an outlet duct connected to the baseof said hollow body.

8. Apparatus for impregnating the inner walls of hollow articles such ascups, comprising a dish on which said article is placed mouth towardsthe dish, a liquid inlet duct connected to said dish, a hollow bodyhaving at its upper end an outlet orifice and extending at its lower endin an outlet duct, being rigidly mounted with circumferential clearancein said dish and inlet duct, a closed chamber containing impregnatingliquid, slidably mounted on said outlet'duct and enclosing the lower endof said inlet duct, a valve in said chamber slidably mounted on saidoutletduct and controlling the admission of fluid to said inlet duct.

9. Appparatus for impregnating the inner walls of hollow articles suchas cups, comprising a dish on which said article is placed mouth towardsthe dish, a liquid inlet duet connected to said dish, a hollow bodyhaving at its upper end an outlet orifice and eXtending at its lower endin an outlet duct, being rigidly mounted with circumferential clearancein said dish and inlet duct, a closed chamber containing impregnatingliquid, slidably mounted on said outlet duct and enclosing the lower endof said inlet duct, a valve in said chamber slidably mounted on saidoutlet duct and controlling the admission of fluid to said inlet duct,means whereby the valve is held closed when the apparatus is at rest andwhereby the valve is opened when the unit formed by the dish, inletduct, hollow body and outlet duct is pushed into the chamber. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

HENDRIK JACOBUS PRINS.

